Dare You to Move

I picked this song to review because I consider it spiritually inspirational. It moves your emotions and motivates your mind to move your body into the next phase of your life.

“Dare You to Move” was written by Jon Foreman, the lead singer in Switchfoot.  This song was initially recorded in 2000 as the first track of the album Learning to Breathe and titled “Dare You to Move.” A remix of “Dare You to Move” was recorded in 2003 for Switchfoot’s album The Beautiful Letdown. The remix has more powerful vocals and an increased intensity from the background instruments.

The single was released on 3/2/04 as a remix for radio. In 2004 the song got to number six on the US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream chart.  In 2005 “Dare You to Move” won two Dove awards and was certified gold. In 2006 the song was ranked 50 in Contemporary Christian Magazine’s book 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music.

Background

[Jon Foreman said ‘I Dare You to Move’] “is an attempt to honestly face the gap between who I am and who I want to be; between the way the world spins and the way it should be” (ibid. p.140). In the internet article “Summer Festivals = Pictures + Interviews,” “Jon said that sometimes it still can move him to tears, and that he’s glad it got a second chance” (on The Beautiful Letdown).

If you listen to “Dare You to Move” you could lose your job.

“Two friends of mine have quit their jobs because of that song,” the Switchfoot singer said of the band’s latest single, “Dare You to Move.” “They’re like, ‘I quit my job the other week because I heard that song. Just decided it was time to move on.’” (“Warning: Switchfoot’s Daring Single May Cause Job Loss” by Corey Moss).

More on the song’s meaning: “It’s me talking to myself and I think a lot of times I feel stagnant and stuck in the same place,” Foreman said. “And ‘Dare You to Move’ is kind of a song for myself to get me up and get me moving and tackling a new part of life” (ibid.).

Versions

“Dare You to Move” has a number of recorded versions. Some of my favorite renditions of the song are the following: Dare You to Move – The Beautiful Letdown; and Dare You to Move (iTunes Session) – iTunes Session.

Jungian Interpretation

Jungian theory is somewhat future-oriented. Sometimes dreams present images of what a person could become – his or her best self so to speak. I think “Dare You to Move” epitomizes this Jungian theme. The song’s energy and meaning work together to propel you into the next phase of your life. It motivates you to take the next step, to move boldly forward. It dares you to make the changes you need to make.

Christian Signs, Jungian Synchronicities

If you have heard “Dare You to Move” recently or are reading this article, then there is possibly a message for you. What is the next step that you need to take to move forward in your life? Be courageous. Take that step.